Remember Quo Vadis?
In response to the Hawa Bhaban gherao programme called by the opposition parties on 21 April, the police themselves hadgheraoedthe entire Banani area. People going to offices in the area were stopped and turned back or taken into custody by police. Vehicles were stopped from entering the area. A sort of curfew prevailed in Banani and Gulshan. Residents panicked as thousands of innocent people were taken into custody from in and around the city. As per news reports, police had a heyday taking bribes from those who were arrested and wanted to be released.
While the common people suffered, it was not pleasant to watch on TV the prime minister's sons playing cricket and enjoying the day along with other high-ups of the ruling alliance. This whole scene reminded me of a Hollywood movie named 'Quo Vadis' which I saw in my school days in the early fifties. This movie depicts the life of Nero, the neurotic Emperor of Rome, who was having a wonderful time along with his sycophants, while Rome was burning and people were running for their lives.
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